Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds, artwork by Jason Griffin

Jason Reynolds uses the aesthetic of magnetic poetry in this book-length poem of over 300 pages,   which is beautifully illustrated by Jason Griffin.   Give this to students who like their poems one book at a time,   and readers who hunger for an artist’s journal.  Perfect for lessons or library programs exploring what an artist and poet can create together.   This book can also serve as an example of how artists use notebooks,  and a model of how we can all write, paint, and draw to express our feelings. Included is a teaching guide by Amy Jurskis available here.   This book is highly recommended.

The audiobook of the book is 37 minutes long containing two readings of the poem - one by the author himself.    Following the two readings is a conversation with the author and the  illustrator. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Reynolds, Jason.  Illustrated by Jason Griffin.  Ain’t Burned All the Bright. accessed through the NYCDOE digital library platform, Sora.

p.s. Although I have not read it yet, I attended a wonderful D79 PD led by Passages' Denice Martin-Thompson on Friday and I am guessing her creative writing workshop guide, This 1 is for U, would make a lovely pairing and a perfect pandemic valentine's day gift for your favorite poetry teacher.